Relay



March 4, 1930. L. N. cRlcHToN RELAY Filed Nov. 5, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR I Les/fe /l/ CNC/wb2? March 4, 1930. L. N. cRlcHToN RELAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 5, 1923 v IN ENTOR wnNEssEs; la@

M7 ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 4, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LESLIE N. CRICHTON, F WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC &; MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA RELAY Application filed November 5, 1923.

.' relay that may be controlled from a distant point and be automatically retained in its operated or closed position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a relay mechanism in which a movable 1 contact member may be actuated to its closed position to complete a holding circuit for the relay.

Another object of my invention is to provide a relay'in which the clamping means for the rela housing may be utilized in the operation o releasing the relay from its actuated or closed position.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a relay in which a pivotally-mounted contact member may be actuated to its closed position where it will be retained until released either manually or by a remotelycontrolled electrical means.

Figure 1 is a side view, partially in elevai tion and partially in section, of a relay embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the relay shown in Fig. 1, with the cover removed,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view, partially in elevation and partially in section, of a modified form of relay embodying my invention,

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of apparatus and circuits embodying my invention as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic View of apparatus and circuits embodying my invention as shown in Fig. 3.

In the several figures of the drawings, like reference numerals indicate similar parts.

As is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of my invention comprises a base member 1, to which is secured a cover 2, by meansof a bracket 3 and a thumb screw 4. Piv'otally mounted, as at 5, on the bracket 3, is a contact-supporting member 6 which, as shown, is a bar of L-shape that is biased in a clockwise direction by a spring 7. As best shown in Fig. 2, two contact members S and 9 of substantially U-shape are mounted Serial No. 672,828.

upon a non-conducting plate 10 which is fastened, by suitable means, to the bar 6. The 'free ends of the members 8 and 9, respectively engage stationary conta-ct terminals 11 and 12 when in one operative position and contact terminals 13 and 14 when in another operative position.

A coil 15, that is mounted on the base member 1, is provided with a movable core member 16 for engaging` a plunger 17. The latter, in turn, is so disposed as to engage the lower face of the bar 6.

A second coil 18 is mounted on the base 1 above, and in alinement with, the solenoid 15. The coil 18 is provided with a movable core member 19 which is connected to the member 6 by links 2O and 21.

As shown in Fig. 4, the circuits of the coils 15 and 18 are controlled by a push-button switch 22 which may be located at any desired point.

Normally the spring 7 retains the bar 6 and the contact members 8 and 9 in their illustrated positions, respectively in engagement with the contact members 11 and 12. The movable contact member 9 may control any circuit or circuits that are connected to the contact members 12 and 14, the details of such arrangement constituting no part of the present invention.

In the operation of my relay, an operator closes the switch 22 to complete a circuit which extends from the positive side of a supply circuit through the switch 23, coil 15, stationary contact members 11 and the movable contact members 8 to the negative side of the supply circuit. The coil 15 is energized to move the core member 16 upwardly.

The core member 16 is so designed as to be actuated upwardly against the plunger 17 with a positive action. The plunger 17, in turn, strikes the member 6 and moves it in a counter-clockwise direction against the force exerted by the spring 7, whereupon the circuit of the coil 15 is interrupted by the separation of the movable contact members 8 from the stationary contact members 11, and a circuit for the coil 18 is established by the engagement of the movable contact members 8 with. the stationary Contact members 13.. At

the same time, the movable contact members 9 are actuated out of engagement with the contact members 13 and into engagement with the contact members 14.

The coil 18 is energized to draw the core member 19 upwardly, and by means of the links 20 and 2 1, it holds the member 6, in its actuated position, against the action of the spring 7. This condition continues so long as the switch 22 is held in its closed position. U n the release of the switch 22, the circuit of the coil 18 is interrupted, whereupon the spring 7 returns the member 6 and the Contact members 8 and 9 to their initial positions in which they are shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

In the embodiment of my invention shown ink Figs. 3 and 5, the circuit of the coil 18 is arranged to be controlled independently of the circuit of the coil 15, separate switches 25 and 26 being provided for the respective circuits. The contact-supporting member 6 is provided with a slot 27 adjacent to one end thereof. A lever 28, having a projection 29 thereon, is adapted to extend into the slot 27. The lever 28 is pivotally supported, as at 30, upon the base 1, and an extension 31 thereof is pivotally connected to the core member 19.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 3 and-5, the thumb-screw 4 is provided with a centrally extending aperture 32, through which a rod 33 extends. A spring 34 is provided for biasing the rod 33 in such manner that it tends to impart a counter-clockwise movement to the lever 28, to which it is pivotally connected, as at 35.

In the operation of this relay, the plunger 17 raises the member 6 above the projection 29, and the lever 28 turns under the inluence of the s ring 34 sufliciently to cause the upper sur ace of the rojection 29 to engage the lower surface o? the contact-supporting member 6. The moving contact members 8 and 9 are, accordingly, mechanically held in their actuated positions, while, in the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 and 4, they are magnetically held in their actuated positions.

In order to release the member 6 from the projection 29, the operator may manually pull the rod 33 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, whereupon the lever 28 is turned in a clockwise direction until the projection 29 is dra-wn within the slot 27, thus permitting the member 6 -to be returned to its original position by the spring 7 If it is desired to release the supporting member 6 by electro-responsive means, the coil 18 as shown in Fig. 5, 1s energized through the switch 26, whereupon the core member 17 is drawn upwardly, causing the projection 29- to withdraw into the slot 27. The operation of this form of my relay is otherwise the same as that described in ooinction with the term shown in Figs. 1, 2 an.

It may thuabe that I have provided a remotely-controlled relay that is held in its actuated position either mechanically or electrically, as desired. Provision is also made for either mechanically or electrically releasing the relay from its actuated position, as desired, At the same time, the number of moving parts has been materially reduced, and such moving parts as are employed are of simple construction.

It is to be understood that such changes in the structure and circuits here shown may be made as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an electrical controlmechanism,acoil, a movable core member therefor, a Second movable member independently mounted in the path of said core member to be actuated thereb latching means for retaining said secon movable member only in its actuated position, a contact member mounted on said movable member, and a plurality of stationar contact members between which said movable contact member is adapted to move upon the energization of said coil.

2. In an electrical control mechanism, a coil, a movable core member therefor, a second movable member actuated by said core member, said members being lrelativel movable, means for retaining said secon movable member only in its actuated qsition a contact member mounted on sai movable member, and a plurality of stationary contact members between which said movable contact member is adapted to move upon the ener ization of said coil and against one of whic said movable contact member is held by said retaining means.

3. In a control mechanism, a pivotallymounted member, a contact member controlled thereby, a plurality of stationary c011- tact members to be engaged by the movable contact member, a coil and a movable core member for actuating said pivotally-mo ted member, said core member being norma ly disenga ed therefrom, and means comprising a secon coil and a movable core member therefor for retaining said pivotally-mounted member in its actuated position.

4. In combination, a pivotally-mounted contact member, a coil, a. movable core membei' for actuating said contact member, means for latching and retaining said moyable c011- tact member in its actuated position, a cover member for said mechanism and releasing` means for-said movable contact member comprising a rod and a nut, said nut also cooperating with said cover member to secune it in place.

5. In combination, a. pivotally-mountod Contact member, a coil, a movable core member for actuating said contact member, means for retaining said movable contact member in its actuated position, and means for releasing said retaining means comprising a clamping nut and a rod extending therethrough, said nut also serving as a clamping means for said mechanism.

6. In combination, a base member, a cover member, a hollow member for clamping said cover member to said base member, a pivoted contact-supporting member, actuating means therefor, retaining means for said supporting member when in its actuated position, and a releasing means for said retaining means comprising a rod extending through said hollow member.

7. In combination, a base member, a cover member, a hollow member for clamping said cover member to said base member, a device mounted on said base member within said cover, and a movable rod extending through said hollow member for co-operating with said device.

8. In combination, a base member, a cover member, a hollow member for clamping said cover member to said base member, a device mounted on said base member within said cover, and a rod extending through said hollow member for co-operating with said device by a longitudinal movement.

9. The combination with a base member, a cover member therefor, and electrically operated devices therein, of electrical means for releasing the electrically operated devices, clamping means for holding the cover to the base member and means cooperating therewith for releasing the electrically operated devices.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 29th day of October,

LESLIE N. CRICHTON. 

